Air Attack 310 (A310)

Manufacturer
North American-Rockwell, Columbus, Ohio.

Original Owner
U.S. Navy and Marine Corp, 1968-1993. The OV-10A was used as a counter-insurgency aircraft and close air support military ground forces.

Acquired by CAL FIRE
In 1993, CAL FIRE acquired 15 OV-10As from the Department of Defense. Of those 15, 13 have been converted for use as air attack planes for the 2000 Fire Season. The remaining four are in the process of being converted. The OV-10As are replacing the Cessna O-2As that CAL FIRE had been using as the air attack platform. The OV-10As are newer, larger, and faster, providing a larger field of vision for the crew and are more maneuverable than the older O-2As.

Air Crew
Pilot and Air Tactical Group Supervisor

Mission
CAL FIRE utilizes the OV-10As as "command and control" of aircraft on wildland fires. The crew provides tactical coordination with the Incident Commander on the ground, providing information on the movement and spread of the fire. The OV-10A crew then directs CAL FIRE's air tanker and helicopter pilots on where to make their retardant and water drops.

Specifications
Gross Weight: 10,500 Pounds
Maximum Speed: 250 MPH
Cruise Speed: 230 MPH
Range: 1,000 Miles
Endurance: 5 Hours
Wing Span: 40 Feet
Engines: 2 Garrett T-76 Turbines, 715 HPR Each